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Plants Show Up in a Big Way at The Wesley
At the Wesley, prepare for a mind-bending perspective shift on the unsung power of produce. From the botanic-inflected interiors by Elmo Studios to the imaginative menu architected by executive chef Santiago Astudillo, an alum of Le Bernardin and Daniel, plants are central to the experience.
In the capable hands of Astudillo and his team, royal trumpet mushrooms and jicama power a ceviche with a coconut leche de tigre that’ll leave even purists craving another bite. Other standouts include a grill-pressed maitake mushroom whose char is offset with a vibrant okra, tomatillo, and lime salsa verde; and an indulgent cauliflower and dukkah gnocchi with a pomegranate-accented tahini pesto that plays with sweet and savory flavors. Even the cocktails lean vegetal, like the celery juice–based Conniption spiked with gin and mezcal. Daring and unique, the restaurant is a welcome departure from the West Village’s monotonous burger-and-fries bistro scene. —Jenna Adrian-Diaz
An installation by Joana Vasconcelos for Dior at Paris Fashion Week. Photography by Adrien Dirand…
A kaleidoscopic scenography by Joana Vasconcelos backdropped Dior’s Paris show.
Dior’s Autumn Winter 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week was a spectacle of vibrant colors and textures, featuring a massive installation by artist Joana Vasconcelos. Titled Valkyrie Miss Dior, the 79-foot-long and 23-foot-tall structure was made entirely by hand using textiles and fabrics from Dior’s collection, and hung above the runway in a purpose-built structure. The installation’s undulating volumes were wrapped in knitted, sewn, and crocheted fabrics and objects, inviting the audience to enjoy the show amid the multi-colored and organic forms.
A hotel-based art fair will pop up across the street from this year’s Dallas Art Fair.
The Dallas Invitational Art Fair, organized by local gallerist James Cope, will take place at the Fairmont Hotel in April, coinciding with the Dallas Art Fair. Participating galleries will display their works inside guest rooms throughout the hotel, a concept inspired by New York’s Gramercy International Art Fair. Cope expects a slower pace compared to the larger Dallas Art Fair, allowing dealers to spend more time with collectors, and hopes visitors will spend a few hours exploring the hotel room stands on a weekend afternoon.
The MAP Museum of Art and Photography in Bangalore. Photography by Iwan Baan…
India’s major new Museum of Art and Photography seeks to tackle art-world biases.
India’s new MAP Museum of Art and Photography has opened in Bengaluru, with founder Abhishek Poddar seeking to offer visitors an opportunity to experience a “museum-going culture” in India by breaking down the “high” and “low” art distinction. Poddar’s MAP features a collection of 60,000 items, with textiles, crafts, and print advertising shown alongside ancient bronzes and carved deities, as well as Bollywood memorabilia and traditional woven fabrics. The museum has set out to attract young people and launched open-access digital offerings, including an online encyclopedia of South Asian art with more than 2,000 entries overseen by expert scholars.
The Prada Frames symposium will tackle “materials in flux” in Milan and Hong Kong.
Prada is set to host the sophomore edition of Prada Frames, a symposium dedicated to exploring the relationship between design and the natural environment. The event will take place across two locations: Hong Kong’s West Kowloon district and during Milan Design Week with the theme of “Materials in Flux.” The Hong Kong leg, taking place on March 21 and 22, will feature a lecture by architect Jacques Herzog, followed by keynotes and panels with local and international professionals, while the Milan event, taking place from April 17–19, will feature different speakers and lecturers, including Tim Ingold and Beatriz Colomina.
Pharrell’s Black Ambition Prize for emerging entrepreneurs returns for its third year.
The Black Ambition Prize has returned for its third year, with applications now open until May 9. Pharrell Williams created the initiative to empower Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, providing up to $3 million in funding, mentorship, resources, and connections in industries including consumer products, media and entertainment, healthcare, technology, and Web3. Backed by high-profile names like Adidas and Chanel, the prize has awarded around $6 million to 65 entrepreneurs since its launch in 2020 with winners also receiving bi-weekly office hours with leaders in their respective fields.
Kansas City International Airport. Photography by Clark Weitz Clarkson…
Kansas City’s airport unveils a $1.5 billion terminal with state-of-the-art amenities.
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) has opened a $1.5 billion single terminal to replace the airport’s outdated trio of concrete terminals from 1972. The new terminal features modern amenities like separate levels for curbside departures and arrivals, Clear kiosks, designated TSA PreCheck lines, and a Delta Sky Club. Moreover, the terminal has been designed to be inclusive of all types of passengers with adult changing tables in restrooms, all-gender restrooms, service animal relief areas, all-inclusive play areas for children, a sensory room, and a Kansas City Air Travel Experience Simulation that lets travelers walk through every part of the flying experience before actually heading to their gate. The terminal also showcases art exhibitions, warm terrazzo floors, and sleek walls made from Missouri limestone.
The first phase of Manhattan’s Hispanic Society Museum renovation will open in April.
The Hispanic Society Museum & Library in Upper Manhattan is reopening its Main Building on 6 April after completing six years and $20 million in infrastructural improvements. The Spanish Renaissance-style Main Court and the gallery dedicated to Joaquín Sorolla’s panoramic paintings cycle, Vision of Spain, are now disability accessible for the first time. The museum aims to become a destination that engages with the local community, New Yorkers at large, and tourists visiting the city, with new displays in the Main Court every six months and in the project gallery every three months.
Redesign of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Image courtesy of Pentagram…
